Corn Disease

The 2018 crop season got off to a slow start with cold, wet conditions delaying planting in much of the state. Some seedling diseases developed in early planted corn, but with ample heat units the corn caught up quickly and most of the crop finished ahead of schedule. High relative humidity and rainfall drove the development of several leaf diseases mid-season.

Knowing the risk factors for stalk rot can help you evaluate those fields first and prioritize your harvest schedule accordingly. Submitting plant samples and determining which stalk rot is present can help you better prevent or manage it in future years.

Southern rust has been confirmed in corn in three eastern Nebraska counties this week. Corn fields should be scouted soon and frequently in the coming weeks for this and other diseases in case treatment is necessary.

Ponding or flooding of fields affects corn differently at different stages, depending on duration of flooding and other factors. Growers should assess the potential for nitrogen loss and increase scouting for corn disease in these fields.

Severe weather and wet conditions across much of Nebraska this week may favor increased development of diseases in corn, particularly bacterial leaf streak and Goss’s bacterial wilt and blight. For assistance in correctly identifying diseases, submit samples to the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic.